4 Days in Saga: What to Do and See in Saga

Day 1 | Morning

Okuma Memorial Museum

Ticket Price: 300 JPY

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: 2-11-11 Suigee, Saga City, Saga Prefecture

Shigenobu Okuma, who was born in Saga, was the founder of Waseda University and an important political figure in Japan during the Meiji Restoration. The Okuma Memorial Hall was built next to the former residence of Okuma Shigenobu. The museum displays precious historical materials and objects about Okuma Shigenobu. The former residence of Okuma Shigenobu is a long-standing samurai mansion, designated as a national historic site, and the second floor is the study of Okuma Shigenobu, where you can find the old footprints of this great man.

Day 1 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Okuma Memorial Museum, Saga Castle next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Saga Castle

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Sun,9:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: 2-18-1 Jonai, Saga City, Saga

Saga Castle is a castle located in the city of Saga. The ancient name Zuojia City, alias Shen City, Turtle City. Completed in the early Edo period, it is the seat of the Saga Domain's domain hall. Currently located in the center of Saga City. During the Saga Rebellion in the Meiji era, most of the buildings in the castle were burnt down, and only the Shizuo Gate and the Tsukugura have survived to this day, and they are now a national cultural property of Japan. Based on recent investigation results, the scale of the burnt down castle may be the same as or slightly larger than that of the Kokura Castle. The Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum is located in the ruins of the Saga Castle. It is a museum that restored and used the Saga Castle Honmaru Palace built at the end of the Edo period. It is a large-scale wooden restored building in Japan. There are more than 700 tatami mats in the museum, and historical materials related to the Shogunate and Saga during the Restoration Period are displayed in various aspects through documents, videos and models in this wide space.

Day 1 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Hotel New Otani Saga is the best places.

Hotel New Otani Saga

This hotel has had the honor of hosting Emperor Showa twice， in 1976 and 1987. It is a modern hotel that blends in with the atmosphere of this old castle town. Near the Yoshinogari Site， Takeo and Ureshino hot springs， and Arita， known for producing Arita

Day 2 | Morning

Saga Shrine

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: 2-chōme-10-43 Matsubara, Saga, 840-0831, Japan

From the late Edo period to the Meiji period, shrines to worship feudal lords were built in various places, and Saga Shrine is one of them. Saga Shrine, located in the center of Saga, is dedicated to Naomasa Naomasa, the 10th lord of Saga, and Naoda Nabeshima, the 11th lord of Saga. Naozhen Naoshima is devoted to educational innovation and talent cultivation, so he is worshipped as the god of learning. In addition, it is also worshipped as the god of culture and communication. Nao Naoshima is an outstanding role model who has left great achievements in all aspects. At that time, the Saga Domain implemented a frugal policy due to financial poverty. Naomasa Nabeshima set an example by himself and thoroughly implemented frugality. In addition to being grateful, Naomasa Nabeshima was regarded as the "god of commoners" after his death. Japanese folk believe that odd numbers are good luck numbers since ancient times. Every year on January 1st, the Dragon Boat Festival on May 5th, and the Double Ninth Festival on September 9th, a large number of pilgrims pour into the Zuojia society, which is quite different from the usual quiet and sacred atmosphere. During the New Year, a record of 350,000 people visited the shrine, which was very lively.

Day 2 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Saga Shrine, don’t forget pay a visit to Saga Castle History Museum.

Saga Castle History Museum

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-12/28,9:30am-6:00pm;Closed from 12/29-12/31

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 2.0-3.0 Hours

Location: 2 Chome-18-1 Jonai, Saga, Saga Prefecture

The Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum is located in the Saga Castle Park. It is a museum that restored and used the Saga Castle Honmaru Palace built in the late Edo period. It is a large-scale wooden restoration building in Japan. There are more than 700 tatami mats in the museum, and historical materials related to the shogunate and Saga during the Restoration Period are displayed in various aspects through documents, videos and models in this wide space.

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Saga Castle History Museum, Villa Ishinokura Hotel nearby is the best place to stay.

Villa Ishinokura Hotel

It is a detached weekend house that offers space where you can spend leisurely relaxing time away from the hustles and bustles of daily life.

Day 3 | Morning

The Saga City Cultural Museum

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Saga 2 Sakae-cho, Saga 2-9

The Saga City History and Folklore Museum is located in Yanagimachi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture. It is the general name of the ancient buildings with precious historical value in Saga City. The old Koga Bank with the Western-style architecture of the Taisho period is preserved here, the mansion of the president of the Old Koga Bank, the representative Japanese-style building of the Meiji period, the old Koga house, and the very old machiya in the old castle town of Saga, which was relocated and restored. There are 7 old mansions in total, including the Ushishima House, the former Sansho Bank, which retains the legacy of a bank in the early Meiji period, and the former Fukuda House, which fully retains the modern Japanese architectural style of the Taisho period. There is also a garden in the museum, and more and more people come here every year. In addition, you can also experience traditional hand-woven Saga brocade at the former Fukuda house. In addition to the historical value of the building itself, the building also welcomed many older guests this time. It is planned to display ancient clocks in the old Koga Bank; in the old Ushishima home, people will be brought back to the life scene of the Showa era, and many old home appliances and furniture will be displayed. A foot organ, a washing board, a charcoal iron, an old-fashioned tape recorder, newspapers of the time, etc., the smell of old life often awakens a distant sense of intimacy in the heart, and it is also a good opportunity to learn about Japanese culture.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming The Saga City Cultural Museum, Saga Balloon Museum next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Saga Balloon Museum

Opening Hours: Closed from 1/1-1/1;Open from 1/2-12/30,Tue-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm;Closed from 12/31-12/31;Closed on Mon

Recommended Length of Stay: 2.0-3.0 Hours

Location: 2-chōme-2-27 Matsubara, Saga, 840-0831, Japan

The first hot air balloon museum in Japan, SagaBalloonMuseum, is also in Saga. It is not the season to release hot air balloons. You can also take pictures with large hot air balloons here to learn about the origin and historical stories of hot air balloons, which is different from colorful hot air balloons. , the overall building of the museum is pure white with a pattern of hot air balloons rising.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Everd: When visiting the paid exhibition area, there is a free parking time of 2 hours. Parking tickets need to be exchanged at the service desk on the first floor.

Doodle: I saw balloon exhibitions and balloon festivals in video, but through the staff's explanation, I was able to understand the history of balloons more deeply.

Day 3 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Saga Balloon Museum, Garden Terrace Saga Hotels & Maritopia nearby is the best place to stay.

Garden Terrace Saga Hotels & Maritopia

Former Mariopia is due to have a grand opening as Garden Terrace Saga Hotel & Maritopia in November, 2018.

Day 4 | Morning

Kouno Park

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 2.0-3.0 Hours

Location: 4 Chome Kamizono, Saga, Saga Prefecture

Jinno Park is a large children's playground, parent-child zoo and citizen park in Saga City. The famous Japanese-style tea house in the park is next to the pavilion. It was built in 1846 as the villa of Naomasa Nabeshima, the lord of the Saga Domain. Jinno Park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Saga. There are 1,000 cherry blossoms in the park. The cherry blossoms and the Japanese garden are very beautiful.

Reviews from Real Guests:

RIE: It is a park that is loved by citizens for free parking, admission! There are mini amusement parks and mini zoos, and it is a relaxing park that can be enjoyed from small children to adults.

Day 4 | Afternoon

Kawakami Gorge nearby is the top choice before you leave Kouno Park and hit the road.

Kawakami Gorge

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours

Location: Yamatocho Oaza Kawakami, Saga, Saga Prefecture

Kawakami Gorge is located in Yamato-cho, Saga City. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom on the river bank. From April to May, more than 600 carp streamers hang from the river bank, swaying in the wind and colorful, which is a local characteristic landscape. In summer, the Kawakami Gorge Fireworks Festival will be held here. In addition to more than 2,000 fireworks, there are also water lantern events, adding a lot of mystery to the summer night. The autumn leaves are also a great sight. At the same time, Kawasami Gorge is also a well-known hot spring resort. After soaking in the hot springs, tourists can also taste delicious Sichuan fish dishes.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.